492 Mr. Bennett on the Chinchillide. 
As regards the South African genus, Pedetes, Ill. (or Helamys of 
M. F. Cuvier) I can by no means concur with the German zoolosists who 
have proposed to associate it with the South American family of Chin- 
_ chillide, although, as I have already stated in my paper in the Zoological 
Society’s “ Transactions’’ p. 62, ‘¢ it seems in many of its characters to 
approach Lagostomus.”? I am still uncertain as to its true position, 
which I continue to think we are not yet furnished with sufficient 
materials to determine ; but I am convinced that its relation to the Chim- 
chillide is not one of near affinity. ‘* The differences in the relative 
proportion of the limbs, in the elongated claws of its anterior extremities, 
in the character of its fur, and above all in the structure of its teeth, 
forbid,”’ as I have there stated, ‘ a close approximation.” 
The genus Lagidiwm of Dr. Meyen is synonymous with my Lagotis ; 
and the species named by him Lagidium Peruanum appears to be iden- 
tical with Lagotis Cuviert. The ascertainment of its habitat on the 
elevated plateaux of Peru, confirms the accuracy of my decision, unas- 
sisted by any evidence as to locality, regarding its identity with the 
Viscacha of Peruvian travellers. Of its habits, as witnessed by himself 
in its native country, Dr. Meyen gives some interesting particulars. He 
states that it is most abundant just below the limits of perpetual snow, 
and does not form those extensive subterranean excavations so well 
known as the work of the Viscacha of Buenos Ayres; it was moreover 
invariably found among the rocks, and never on the level ground. On 
several occasions it was shot during the day, but was seen most frequently 
at sunset, being excessively abundant, although pursued with avidity on 
account of the good flavour of its flesh, which, however, is not so 
tender as that of the hare. The fabrication of stuffs from its wool, so 
general in the time of the Incas, has now entirely ceased; and such 
stuffs are only to be met with among the rarities found in the tombs of 
the ancient inhabitants. Dr. Meyen further adds that the skins of these 
Viscachas are brought to us through Buenos Ayres as an article of 
commerce, but are not so highly prized as those of the Chinchilla. He 
gives a figure of the animal, and good representations of its skull and 
teeth, 
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